10 Sep 2026

In less than 20 days, Botswana will celebrate 60 years of Independence, a feat that has come with sacrifice and foresight.

Circumstances may have changed but what remains is that the nation will observe Independence Day for the significance it carries, the birth of the Republic of Botswana with its own president, a period when Bechuanaland Protectorate ceased to be a protectorate on September 30, 1966, and the British Queen no longer having control over the territory.

There will be noticeable changes in this year’s celebrations notably, the departure from using the National Stadium for the main event.

The Diamond Jubilee Celebrations will be staged under the theme: Building Resilience, Driving Prosperity, and Gaborone Main Mall will be the host.   Preparations for the celebrations are gathering momentum, with government and district-level committees working to ensure that the Diamond Jubilee is marked through a series of national and community events.

Ministry of Sport and Arts deputy permanent secretary for Arts, Mr Tebogo Matebesi, has assured the nation that preparations were on track, although the pace would have to increase as September 30 drew closer.

A National Organising Committee, comprising representatives from various ministries, is coordinating the national programme, while committees led by district commissioners are overseeing celebrations at district and constituency level.

“Preparations are progressing quite well. We have the National Organising Committee that is made up of mostly all ministries, ensuring that this Independence is coming together nicely,” he said.

Mr Matebesi said the Diamond Jubilee celebrations would place the creative industry at the centre since Botswana’s culture was best reflected through its creatives.

“The creative industry goes beyond musicians but includes fashion, food, visual arts, crafts, poetry, theatre and other forms of cultural expression. If you want to see a people’s culture, you generally see it through the creatives,” said Mr Matebesi.

Among the major highlights will be the Independence Eve celebrations on September 29 at the National Stadium, featuring a retreat parade, performances by the country’s uniformed and disciplined services, artistic performances, a drone show and fireworks.

Mr Matebesi summed up the Independence Eve event as a family affair expected to provide a memorable two-hour spectacle.

Whilst September 29 will light up the National Stadium, September 30 will take the celebration to the streets, with a carnival unlike anything seen before on Botswana’s Independence calendar.

The traditional stadium celebrations will make way for a major carnival around the Main Mall, bringing together the country’s disciplined forces, musicians, dancers, fashion designers and other creatives.

“All roads will be closed and you will see the army marching along the Main Mall road, the police, you will see the correctional services doing their thing. It is going to be spectacular,” said Mr Matebesi and further explained that the carnival would provide an opportunity for Batswana to showcase their culture while allowing members of the public to participate as revelers.

The carnival will culminate in a festival and craft market at the Main Mall, with entertainment expected to continue into the night.

As is the norm the Independence Day celebrations will also have a strong sporting flavour, with the national team, the Zebras, set to face Mozambique at the National Stadium on September 30, Mr Matebesi said.Other activities planned as part of the build-up include a fashion show, an exhibition at the National Art Gallery, cultural festivals, music and gospel concerts, sporting activities and community celebrations.

“The National Art Gallery exhibition is expected to open on September 25 and run for more than a month, showcasing Botswana’s creative and cultural heritage,” said Mr Matebesi. 

Meanwhile, districts and constituencies across the country are also preparing their own programmes, with Maun expected to host a mini cultural festival and Francistown an Independence Eve festival at Obed Itani Chilume Stadium, which will also feature fireworks.

Mr Matebesi said districts had been encouraged to design celebrations that reflected their unique identities while ensuring that creatives were incorporated into their programmes. “We don’t want Independence to be just a government affair, it has to be everybody’s affair,” he said.

Regarding sponsorship, Mr Matebesi said a number of sponsors had already come on board, with their names expected to be announced soon. He however, appealed to more businesses and stakeholders to support the celebrations, to ensure that the Diamond Jubilee turned out as grand as possible.

He also said information on visiting heads of state and other VIPs would also be communicated once confirmations had been received.

As Botswana prepares to mark six decades of self-rule, Mr Matebesi urged Batswana to embrace the celebrations and use the occasion to celebrate the country and its achievements. ENDS